I've been teaching at Hoke County High School for a few days now, and still have not met the principal. I have met the assistant principal of my academy "HAPS" (Health and Public Service), which means that my students are in the stream focused on careers in the health sciences and social services sector (lawyers, teachers, social workers, government bureaucrats, etc.) when they get out of school or head to college/university.

My computer has finally been set up in my classroom (completed while I was teaching), but the cables are all over the floor and pose a tripping hazard. Until today, I didn't even have a username and password (aided by a call by an administrator of the school board). Now all I need is a parking pass, a telephone code, a photocopier code, some textbooks for the biology classes...on top of that, meetings, meetings and more meetings.

I can't wait for the weekend.

I arrived in Raeford, NC on September 1. I was greeted by my 'local advisor', an ESL elementary teacher named Veronica, from Chile. She helped me and my roommate Gyorge find accomodations.

Gyorge, from Hungary, exempt from paying US taxes and bringing his wife and dog (a Hungarian Sheep Dog) here, decided on a beautiful $666/month, two bedroom apartment in Fayetteville with swimming pool. I didn't want to drive that far every day, so I decided to rent out the other bedroom where my advisor is staying. It's furnished, and contains all the basics that I would need.

I picked up my new leased car when I arrived in Raeford, as well. It's a little expensive to lease, but at least I have something to drive. Raeford is a little town with no public transportation, and some communities are far out, so it's essential. I was given a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer, graphite colo(u)red. It's really easy to drive, since most of my previous driving experience involved minivans and station wagons.

School resumes tomorrow, since today is the Labo(u)r day holiday. I had the opportunity to see my classes last week, and it's going to be a challenging year, I can see it already. My teaching assignment for this year includes one chemistry class and two biology classes. I'm working on my lesson plans at the moment.